Frederick William Harvey

Frederick William Harvey, the 'Laureate of Gloucestershire', came to national attention when his poetry describing his native Gloucestershire, (written when serving in the First World War), captured the public imagination. His poetry, first published in 1916, also described the humour and tragedy of wartime army life. Will Harvey later combined writing with a legal career and became a popular broadcaster at the BBC. He was an accomplished singer, a lecturer, and was fluent in local dialects which he often used in poems. He was a passionate advocate for the Forest of Dean and its people, where he was widely loved for his generosity and kindness. Will was a formative influence on his great friend Ivor Gurney with whom he 'walked and talked' around the Gloucestershire countryside.

The Harvey Collection was fully catalogued by James Grant Repshire as part of a 'REACT' PhD studentship in 2013 funded by the University of Exeter in collaboration with Gloucestershire Archives and The F W Harvey SocietyOpens new window. The full list of contents appears in the catalogue D12912.

The Collection is owned by the Harvey family (represented by Mrs Elaine Jackson).

Researchers wishing to see items from the collection will first need to complete an access form at Gloucestershire Archives.

Researchers wishing to make copies from the collection should apply to Gloucestershire Archives initially.

Please note that written permission from Mrs Jackson is needed:

before making any digital copies

before copying more than 75% of any unpublished manuscripts in any way

before publishing any material

before public performances, recordings or media broadcasts of any works.